In the 13-year period of 2005 through 2017, canines killed 433 Americans. Pit bulls contributed to 66% (284) of these deaths. Combined, pit bulls and rottweilers contributed to 76% of the total recorded deaths. | More »

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2011 Dog Bite Fatality: Kalamazoo Infant Mauled to Death by Family Pit Bull

Darius Tillman, 15-days old, was mauled to death by a family pit bull.

Victim IdentifiedUPDATE 06/03/11: In February, baby John Doe was killed by a pet pit bull in Kalamazoo. Several days later, the story fell silent. The Kalamazoo Gazette recently obtained a copy of the police report under the state Freedom of Information Act. A Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety report shows that detectives sought involuntary manslaughter charges against the child's mother, Mallory Wildig, but the county prosecutor's office declined to pursue.

Darius Tillman was 15-days old at the time of his death.

The document mirrors what was previously reported in the media, but offers new details, such as the 1-year old dog, named Buster, was well fed prior to the incident. According to the report, an autopsy performed on the dog that day showed its stomach "was full of food."1 Wildig, though, states in the report that she discovered her baby "mauled and partially consumed by Buster." The report also confirmed that the door to the child's bedroom did not latch.

There was no mention of the household's other pit bull.

02/21/11: Pet Pit Bull Euthanized Wood TV reports that the "infant-killing" pit bull has been euthanized. This is not the first infant-killing pit bull in the State of Michigan. Leonard Lovejoy Jr. captured headlines in 2009, as did baby John Doe in 2004 and Brian Lillis in 1987. In the latest variance, the mother placed the infant in a bassinet then laid down in another bedroom. While napping, one of the pit bulls pushed open the baby's bedroom door, dragged him from the crib and mauled him to death.

02/21/11: Tragic Accident Cited In yet another instance of an infant killed by a family pit bull, law enforcement officials are wrongly calling this preventable death a "tragic accident." Kalamazoo Public Safety Chief Jeff Hadley said, "These cases are very difficult, and obviously, it’s a very emotional topic. But sometimes ... it's just a tragic, tragic accident." The loss of this baby's life is indeed tragic, but it was no accident.2 (A single mother with an infant, toddler and two pit bulls in a small home?)

02/19/11: 10-Day Old Baby Killed Kalamazoo, MI - In a developing story, a 10-day old baby boy was killed by the family pit bull at a house on the 400 block of Garfield Avenue. According to a police press release, the newborn suffered extensive trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene. The name of the victim and his family members are still being withheld pending an investigation. The infant's mother, his 2-year old sibling and two pit bulls were at the residence at the time of fatal incident.

"I know some of our officers who responded to the scene, and some of our detectives who investigated it — talking to a few of them, say it was the worst incident they've ever been exposed to, in 20-plus years of law enforcement. And that's to say a lot."—-This is a spinning record — happens every time there is a fatal pit bull mauling, about every 21 days!

"Why is it that when you're about to have a baby you're bombarded with information about how to keep that precious child safe and healthy, but no one ever seems to caution parents about the risks posed by dogs? Especially pit bulls."—-http://hamptonroads.com/2011/02/babies-and-pit-bulls

Such a horrible preventable tragedy. To your point, Maul Talk, most of the advice I have seen about bringing new babies into a house with dogs, it is all from the dog's point of view, as in, how to make sure your precious dog isn't overlooked and gets the attention it needs, because the poor thing will feel neglected. Never is it mentioned that the animal could attack and kill the "interloper."

I saw those pit bull nutters with their dog playing with children in the streets. Dogs like those shouldn't be allowed to be born, but politicians are persuaded by the press into 'thinking' that they are safe if raised right.

What a load of crap. Their only friendly until they kill you, and they will if they gt a chance!